The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-01-29
GRETTA'ST

l -''''''b
GRETTA'STW BLOWERS.
6retta Thorne's uncle had died and
left her $4,000. and, regarding the lessona
she hae learned in the past with a sort Of
bitter hatred, Gretta plunged into magniA.
cence with feeling Of despair.
But at church the truthful eyes of Mr..
Clayton. the young pastor, seemed to
haunt her with their reproachful glancea,
and che tried not to see him or notice his
look, but 1t followed her home, and all
the week she could think Of little else,
Every Sabbath 1t was much tho same, and
once when Lizzie Gray Every kindly beg.
ged leave to introduce Mr.. Clayton Gretta
lifted her brows in a naughty stare and
mo, thank you; am lectured enough
already" .T,-
"Dear Gretta, l wish you wouldn't talk
60" Lizzie said, sweetly. II am nure Mr..
Clayton would not lecture you" I7.ll :,
wouldn't he2 Don't he give Us most
scathing Lectures every Sabbath morn.
mgr And, turning, Gretta saw the oh.
ject OF their conversation at her right
with a pale face and reproachful eyes
She knew that he had heard every word
Of their conversation, and furthermore
that Lszzle's attack was premeditated, She
gave the young lady an angry, indignant
look, and swept out OF the church.
The summer days merged into autumn,
and Gretta had never yet spoken to Mr..
Clayton. She avoided him studiously,
although she often met him in the abodes
Of sickness and poverty. =
1t was ut Mrs. LawBon's, poor widnow,
tina. they met ono Saturday afternoon,
and Gretta, rising quietly, laid down the
book, that she had been reading and left
the house. Her cheeks burned with a
sense OF shame, and abe could hardly
choke the tears back. She would have
given oil her earthly poasessionH and gone
back to the old days Of seryitude and
shabby attire could it have raised her in
the estimation Of her pastor. &,
Che clasped her hands and leaned over
tho railing OF the little wooden bridge,
with desolate pain at her heart, A
quick, firm step sounded upon the bridge,
and, turning, the girl stood face to face
with John Clayton, who put out his hands
quietly, and, taking hsrs in his strong
clasp, said: ga ascent ,arf :
"Gretsa Thorne, vii! you tell me why
you hate me?" .-..'' ~. 0.I7'a', :
"Oh, Mr.. Clayton, will you forgive me
Tor my rudeness-l am so sorryp And
Gretta lifted her beautiful, flushed, tear
stained face with pleading look. q,
"Forgiye you Yes, child, ii you will
tell me why you dislike me 3d." r.#'
II don't hate you; indeed l don't. But
I ON so wicked, or everybody calls me so
and know you think so because like to
drees and make display. But l have
been so poor, Mr.. Clayton, and nobody
noticed me; and Aunt Thorne wouldn't
lot ms go to church, and l thought all
people went for was to show their clothes"
| She had told me the whole story in
few rapid words, and John Clayton under
stood her just as well as you and do. He
said: -.---s ,=
"You thought SO, but you do not think
so now, do your That is not what you 20
for" and ne claspsd the hands little
closer that Gretta was trying to draw
away. i"r
"No;" and painful flush sufIused Gret.
ta's face as she thought what she did 20
for, and wondered what Mr.. Clayton would
think OF her if he knew. - ,,IIl
A passionate wish rose up in the pss.
tors heart to call this waywsrd pirl his
own; but he thought Of Gretta's $4,000,
and ne dropped her hands as though they
had been Goals OF fire. Hitherto he had
only thought to win her regard; now he
was more miserable than when she had
go coldly Stunned him.
Gretta noticed the change, but her pride
forbade further questioning, and they
walked to the village, side by side, with
out word. - =, - ~.
A handsome carriage and spirited span
Of bays stood at tue gate before Mr.,
Thorne's door. Gretta looked up shyly
with a woman's dread in her eyes and
said: .,,.e,l.g XII
"Will you 60 in, MI. Clayton? am
sure Aunt Thorne will be glad to see
you" III
And John Clayton unable to resist, fol-
lowed her into the house. 100 .l
A handsome, stylish young man rose
up to meet Gretta as she came in, and ex.
tending his hand, said familiarly: ~ 81
| II am happy to meet you again, Gretta,
and have coms this afternoon to take you
to town for that promised ride" TIL,
HThauk you, T will be ready shorty"
Gretta auawered, introducing The gentle.
men, and wondering why Grant Carol
couldn't have stayed away on that particu.
lar afternoon. -
And John Clayton, with a Jealous pang
that he had never feltbefore, watched the
two ride of, and listened to Mrs. Thornes
recital OF Gretta's plans for the future.
The cutumn passed slowly away, and
October. with Its gray robe, was nearly
done, when one morning Gretta woke up
to learn that ohio was pennilesH. She was
shocked and erieved for 4 moment, but
the shock was nothing compared 10 the
one she felt later in the day, when Grant
Carol came asking for a release from his
agreement. The girl gave the ring pack
haughtily, told him she was glad to 30 free
which was true, snd then went out alone
to ke!tls with her grief and wounded
pride. moi y. f ~ 40 dr.,
sob, Grant, Grant," she said, with a
passionate sob, tlinging herself, face down,
upon the orchard grass. ~ did not think
yo4 would desert me-" E.i&3tl2aIi ~
,%Gretta, Gretta, my darling, what is
The words were wrung from John Clay
toms lips by her distresB, and ho gathered
her up in his arms, but Gretta drew her
sell away, saying: .-..sS.